SBAND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
SBAND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
SUMMER’ S MIDPOINT: REST AND THEN KEEP MOVING FORWARD
TONY J. WEILER SBAND Executive Director
It’ s hard to believe sometimes how fast time flies. As we pass the midpoint of summer, there’ s a subtle shift in the air, and while the longest days are just behind us, the sun still burns high in the sky. But this is the hinge, the quiet turn of summer’ s peak. It can be like that at the bar association, too, where we have just finished another legislative session, another annual meeting, and head toward late summer and fall. We are seldom, however, at a quiet peak!
This legislative session was different and more challenging than most in the past. There were bills aimed at changing the legal profession and redefining the Court’ s role in the process. We supported the Rural Attorney Recruitment Program, as well as the Court and Indigent Defense commissions budgets. The Court’ s budget included more funding for judge and justice salaries.
There were, however, a couple of bills SBAND opposed, which isn’ t something we do often. HB 1409 dealt with judicial remedies and provided a liberal interpretation of the word“ interest.” In essence, this bill would have allowed nonlawyers to represent someone in court. Fortunately, it was defeated in the House. HB 1609 would have established admission to the bar through an apprenticeship program whereby an individual would have been able to sit for the bar examination after completing 2,000 hours of work under the supervision of an attorney. The bill also had a provision allowing a legislator to sit for the bar examination if they had served for four years. The House also defeated this bill.
SBAND also opposed House Concurrent Resolution 3021, which would have amended the constitution to eliminate judicial immunity and create a bipartisan committee established by the legislature to fill judicial vacancies( We already have one of those, it’ s called the Judicial Nominating Committee!). This was also defeated in the House. Overall, the rest of the session went well, and there certainly are issues the bar can work on with our Court to address some of the concerns raised by these bills. I hope you can keep up with the work we do by getting our weekly legislative reports.
This middle stretch of summer brings the annual meeting, and all the work and excitement that entails. You can find a separate write-up on the meeting in this edition. We will keep working hard to ensure the best meeting possible for those that attend.
We are also very busy with the Judicial Nominating Committee. Already this year, the committee met to recommend names to Gov. Kelly Armstrong as a result of the retirements of Judges Doug Mattson, Dave Reich, and John Thelen. The committee will soon fill the seat being vacated by Judge Donavan Foughty. The committee always appreciates input from members of the bar, so if you have thoughts or concerns, pass those along to me and I’ ll make sure the committee members receive them.
Finally, your board of governors met in early March for strategic planning. This two-day, in-person exercise allowed the board and staff to dig into what we do well as SBAND and strategize on how we can do better. While many topics were discussed, the board chose to focus on two main areas over the next two years:
Strategic Goal # 1: In partnership with Legal Services North Dakota, expand efforts to reduce the access to justice gap.
Strategic Goal # 2: Promote the mental health and well-being of SBAND members.
We will work hard over the next two years to achieve both goals, and are already taking steps to do so. We have a long- standing and close relationship with Legal Services of North Dakota and are currently undertaking a pro bono assessment to help identify areas of need, as well as opportunities. Further, the Court recently modified the membership of our Lawyer Assistance Program to include a district court judge, which will hopefully help our judges understand they can be part of the program. We are also hoping to help you get more out of your sections and committees, even though that wasn’ t an identified goal. If you have thoughts on any of this, please reach out to me.
Keep in mind that summer’ s midpoint isn’ t a beginning or an end. It’ s a resting point. A reminder to stop, just for a moment, and be exactly where we are. Then keep moving forward.
After all, the days are still long.
SUMMER 2025 5